by Lisa Heaton
Isabel’s cheeks seemed to have caught fire, a sight that prompted Colin to chuckle.
Colin stood and lifted his glass. “To our future queen. I cannot imagine any more noble or brave woman to stand with me and lead Kidian. We are a blessed kingdom, indeed.” He looked to the others as they stood along with him. “To Isabel!”
Colin leaned in near to her. “Stories of your courage arrived long before you did. I thought it only right that the people know the truth about their future queen.”
“I could crawl under this table.”
He grinned. “That would make for an interesting story at a later date.”
“Yes, I suppose it would.”
Since conversation had begun again amongst the guests, Colin found himself able to talk with Isabel without others paying much attention.
“Because your arrival was delayed, I fear there is little time for us to get to know one another before the wedding. Does that concern you?”
She shrugged. “There will be time for that.”
“Nothing about you is what I expected.”
Isabel turned to face the king. “Tell me, what did you expect?”
“For you to be nervous at the prospect of marrying a complete stranger, certainly not a woman who would tend to livestock or arrive straddling a horse in the midst of a company of love-struck soldiers.” He appreciated how she blushed at that. “I suspected you would be lovely but not necessarily breathtaking.” Colin touched her wrist. “Which you are.”
With a playful tone, she said, “And here I find you almost exactly as I anticipated.”
“Which was?”
“Short, bald, and missing teeth.”
Colin burst into laughter at the princess. “And I never anticipated your sense of humor.”
The commander’s advice came to mind, to befriend the princess. How could he not? She was by far the most likable woman he had ever met.
***
Isabel’s eyes danced as she watched the festivities before her. The vast ballroom was splendid with a soaring ceiling towering high above them. Along the perimeter was story after story of ornate railings for the floors overhead. So many were present for her arrival, even the corridors above were filled with onlookers.
Dozens of chandeliers – large as carriages – cast a magical glow as refined couples danced with grace and beauty around the enormous room. It was the grandest sight she had ever seen, a place so awe-inspiring that Isabel could only marvel at how inadequate the commander’s description had been.
“I seem to remember promising to be the first to twirl you around the room.”
Isabel turned to find her commander there. For a split-second she glanced away, trying to make sure her face held little emotion. “I remember your promise as well.”
With his hand extended, Elias said, “The king has given his blessing that I may have that honor.”
When stepping into her commander’s arms, Isabel could think of nothing else but the other promise.
He grinned. “This may be our only opportunity to dance, so I wouldn’t allow the chance to pass me by.”
“I’m glad you are a man who keeps his promises.”
“Rest assured, Princess, I am a promise keeper.”
For several moments Isabel danced on a cloud with Elias, lost in the feel of his embrace.
Elias scowled. “You don’t hide your feelings well.”
“Nor do you.”
“You do know, for that very reason that this will be our only dance?”
“Tonight?”
He gave no answer.
“Oh.” She became quiet.
“There are many others who will be lined up in order to dance with you.”
“Then I suppose I will have to pretend they are you.”
“Without the expression of love in your eyes, I would hope.”
“I could never look at another as I do you.”
As if no time at all had passed, the song ended and Elias turned her loose. For just a brief moment, Isabel stood, staring as he made his way from the dance floor. Next thing she knew, she was swept up into the arms of another, a nobleman whose name she couldn’t remember. The remainder of the night was the same as she danced with man after man to song after song.
Just as the music was winding down, Colin approached and insisted on walking her up to her room. She had already discovered the palace to be a labyrinth of corridors and doorways, all of which looked alike. Since her room was a few doors down from his own, the king offered to help her get the lay of the land.
They walked along a corridor in near silence. Colin eventually said, “You were much more talkative during supper. I suppose you are tired after such a long day.”
“I am tired, but I believe I could have danced for hours more.”
“You have been well received, Isabel.”
She turned to the king, eyes dancing. “I can’t recall a better night. Your people are lovely.”
“They feel the same about you. I can see it.”
At her door Colin said, “If you are up for it, I will take you riding tomorrow, to show you around the grounds. Or have you had your fill of horses?”
“There is no such thing as my fill of horses. I would love to accompany you.”
“That is our plan then. I believe you will be meeting with Gerard regarding wedding details first thing. After that?”
“I will look forward to it.”
Isabel entered her room to find Fina there waiting for her. They embraced.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been assigned to attend you. I hope that pleases you.”
“Nothing could please me more. I was going to ask tomorrow if you could be with me.”
Fina spun the princess around and began untying the ribbons of her dress. “You must be exhausted, Princess. Let’s get you changed and straight to bed.”
“I won’t sleep for days due to all the excitement.”
“You certainly will sleep. I intend to see to it that you do. We have days more of activity ahead, so you’ll need your rest.”
Isabel climbed into bed, but before Fina could snuff out her candle, Isabel reached for her hand. Eyes gleaming, she said, “He is magnificent, even better than you described.”
“He is, Princess.”
Isabel drifted off to sleep with both handsome faces dancing in her mind. Her commander and her king, one had stolen her heart and the other would soon take her hand.
***
Gerard was indignant, his face contorted into a deep grimace. “We can’t possibly accommodate them.”
Colin was taken aback by Gerard’s sudden intrusion. After spending the morning with the princess covering wedding details, Gerard had found the princess’s request to be outright offensive. He wasted no time in telling the king so.
“She wants how many of the soldiers to attend the reception?” Colin hid a grin at the sight of sweat beading on the older man’s bald head.
“All of them, Your Majesty, all one hundred men who accompanied her.”
“And we have no room for them?” Colin knew better.
“The room is not the issue, sir. It’s the propriety of doing such a thing. Maybe we can invite some, those of noble birth, but to mix common soldiers with the nobility is unthinkable.”
Colin had enjoyed his time in the army in the company of common soldiers more than any time he had spent at court with pompous noblemen.
“I disagree. If the princess wants to invite her company of soldiers, then make way for them.” Colin stared at Gerard to ensure he understood the conversation was over. “Even if that means you must disinvite one hundred noblemen.”
Gerard bowed in forced respect. “I will see to the arrangements.” His tone was curt.
For some time after Gerard left, Colin considered Isabel and the steward’s first disagreement. Without question, this was only the first of many. With Isabel’s unconventional notions and Gerard’s proper ideals, there would be ma
ny disputes to settle. Colin found it interesting and not bothersome at all.
They were due to ride within the hour, so that was what he was preparing for. This would be the first time they were alone, what Colin decided would be the continuation of his befriending Isabel as the commander had suggested.
During their walk to the stables, Colin took advantage of their time alone to ask her, “So what did you think of Gerard?”
“You mean the man who wears a permanent scowl and can only say no?”
“Yes, that’s him.”
“I find him full of no.”
Colin chuckled. “He is surprisingly full of no.”
“How exactly would you know that? I can’t imagine he has the audacity to tell the king no.”
“Before the king was king Gerard told him no daily.”
“So he worked for your father the king?”
“He did. For as long as I’ve had memories, he’s been around to tell me no.”
“I will pay him more respect then.”
“I can hardly imagine you weren’t respectful.”
“I was respectful, but I also stood my ground.” Isabel grimaced. “He doesn’t like me already.”
“He doesn’t need to.”
She glanced at him and smiled in appreciation. “I like that statement. To him my request was unreasonable, but I don’t see why.”
“Your request wasn’t at all unreasonable. I’ve told Gerard to make room for your soldiers.”
Isabel took a few steps more and said, “Well, that was easy.”
Colin stopped for a moment. “Isabel.”
When she realized he had stopped dead in his tracks, she took the few steps back to where he was.
He was determined that she understood her role at the palace. “You will be queen. You are in charge of this palace and our household, not Gerard. I have every reason to believe you will make proper decisions. Don’t allow anyone to bully you.”
“Hmm. Nice to hear you say that.” She grinned at him. “Especially since I was wondering if we could move the ceremony outdoors rather than in the chapel.”
“Not the chapel? Every royal wedding has been conducted there for as long as my family has held the crown. Where would it be instead?”
“On the front steps of the palace where you received me. That way all could gather and see, the soldiers and many more than the chapel will accommodate.”
Colin asked a few questions. Once they talked over a few details, he was agreeable. Even as they rode over the palace grounds, they discussed ideas and how easily the change could be made. Colin had the idea that Isabel would arrive in a carriage with him already waiting on the second tier of steps. At that elevation all in attendance would be able to see. The more they talked, the more the pair grew excited.
For Colin, the notion of marrying Isabel standing in the same spot where he had married Melody was torturous. Now, it seemed his unconventional princess had saved him that agony.
Colin wasn’t at all surprised when Gerard came unraveled at the suggestion that the ceremony be moved. Though in practice it wouldn’t take that much effort to change, even the idea caused Gerard great distress. Rather than leaving the conversation to Isabel alone, Colin had been with her and brought up the idea. His doing so prevented what would have been Gerard’s arguments. Now that the news had been given, the staff was off to make the necessary changes. It seemed everyone but Gerard was excited about the change in venue since many more would be able to witness the king’s union to the princess. Besides allowing for the soldiers, what his bride-to-be hadn’t considered was that the staff who served the palace would be able to attend as well. This pleased Colin. So far, everything about Isabel pleased him.
In the following days since they had met and were getting better acquainted, Colin decided that the soldier and even the commander had underestimated the princess’s attributes when they described her. She was beyond a delight. If he could befriend any woman, he thought again, it was this one. One of his favorite traits of hers was her trace of a mean streak. Not actual meanness, but a devious side to her humor that made her say things to him that no one else would. If in any moment she found cause to tease him, she would. He did notice, however, that Isabel did so only when they were alone.
Each night they dined in the banquet hall and then after supper, many dignitaries would remain for music and dancing. People had traveled from all over to attend the wedding, so all this pre-celebration was a necessity. Unless she was dancing, which was often, Isabel remained by Colin’s side in order to learn about those in attendance. He gave her privileged details about the nobles and their wives in order that Isabel would know the people nearest them.
That night, the night before they were to marry, Colin stood with Isabel and looked on as others danced. He cleared his throat. “I’ve wanted to discuss something with you.”
“Feel free.”
The look she gave him, one mixed with innocence and anticipation, made him hesitate. Finally, he said, “I don’t dance.”
“If we don’t dance the first dance after our ceremony, won’t that seem awkward?”
Before Colin could reply to that, she said, “Maybe Simon?” She turned to him. “I know he’s a bit cantankerous, but you can make a spectacle of the fact that he found me for you. That seems romantic and will likely go over well with the people.” She grinned. “Plus, I’ll be laughing inside all the while as the crusty old man hates every moment of the dance.”
When Colin realized that her question about them not dancing wasn’t related to her personal feelings about it being awkward but rather to the way they would be perceived by the people, he stood there staring at her with eyes wide.
“You are a conniving genius.”
“Yes, I know.” She grinned up at him. “Lucky king.”
“I am lucky, indeed. Thank you, Isabel.”
“You are welcome, Colin.”
Chapter 9
Onlookers parted like a massive sea as Isabel arrived in a carriage and was deposited at the bottom of the brilliant white stone stairway. When she stepped from the carriage, the crowd erupted into loud cheers and continued to do so until she reached where Colin stood. All the way up the stairs, Isabel could focus on nothing but the man awaiting her. His smile was dazzling, something that caught her a little off guard since she had anticipated a more stoic groom. Instead, Colin was beaming and the crowd exhilarated.
When she stood before Colin, he took her hand and they exchanged vows in a less than traditional ceremony. A phrase that was customary to vows had been omitted. Neither was asked to vow to love the other, only to honor. Why that stunned her as it did, she wasn’t sure. She had been warned but no matter the warning, the omission stung.
Because of the significance of the day and with the crowd watching on, Isabel was unable to absorb the rest that was being said. It happened so fast and the next she knew, they were pronounced man and wife.
This was the moment all had been waiting for, and the crowd became so eerily silent that Isabel could hear her own heart beating. Even before Colin leaned in, she was puzzled by the expression on his face. Maybe indecision or regret would best describe it, but whatever it was wasn’t happy.
Colin reached for her face and touched her cheek. When he leaned down he nearly kissed her just to the right of her lips, but he didn’t make contact. He then lifted his head. Because of the way he had held his hand on her face, it wasn’t obvious to the onlookers that he had slighted her.
Unable to move, Isabel stood staring at her husband, unsure if what she thought had happened actually had. He smiled at her and blinked a few times as if regretting how he had snubbed her. Whatever dreams she had of a changed heart in Colin were dashed. From this moment forward she would remind herself daily that this would indeed be her one sorrow. This charming and handsome man’s heart would never belong to her. If not for the love of her commander, that thought would likely have made her cry there in front of the watching kingdom.
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An extravagant meal was served where Isabel forced her food down a constricted throat. Very seldom did she look at Colin unless he spoke to her directly. The room was lively and none of the guests seemed to notice the couple’s distance. Next, they all moved into the great dance hall where music floated like a melodic cloud in honor of an occasion that all but the bride and groom celebrated. Isabel played the part of a glowing bride as she spoke to many of the soldiers, calling them by name. The commander was no were to be found, a fact that Isabel could understand. It tore at her heart to imagine how he must have felt watching her marry the king. It was for the best that he wasn’t close by. Because she was wounded still by Colin’s refusal to kiss her, she would have likely been more apt to seek Elias out if he had been in attendance.
Soft music increased in volume and tempo, inviting guests to the dance floor. Isabel watched as Colin looked at Simon and nodded, his cue to ask her to dance.
All fake smiles, Isabel stepped into Simon’s arms.
“You are a shrewd woman, Isabel, even more so than I would have originally believed.”
“That can be taken either way. Was that supposed to be a compliment or an accusation?”
“Compliment, without question.” Simon nodded. “You will make an exceptional queen.”
“Coming from you, I take that as a tremendous compliment.”
“Coming from me?” He looked at her with suspicious amusement.
“Since you are the king’s most trusted advisor, any compliment from you is desired.”
Simon chuckled. “Shrewd and a diplomat. I found a real treasure in you Queen Isabel.”
His smile faded and his eyes narrowed. “You are a strong woman, my queen, up for the task at hand. I am honored to ever be at your service.”
